Count Down to Santa's Arrival

I saw this idea on one of my favorite blogs and decided to do it for Grayson.  The only problem was I just decided a couple of days ago and had to work quickly and get them to him for December 1.

I have been buying books and putting them away for Christmas but I still had to buy quite a few to have enough.  As you all know, children's books can be quite expensive so I supplemented several days with candy and fun treats.

I bought Kraft paper to wrap them in.  I have more ribbon than I have room for so I didn't need to buy any to wrap the packages.  Several years ago I bought 100 sheets of label paper.  I used those to cut 3" circles with a circle punch. 

Then I used my Cricut to cut the numbers in green polka dot vinyl.

I hope Grayson enjoys each book and treat he opens starting tomorrow until Christmas.

I used paper bags for the treats.  I'm delivering my gifts tomorrow!

Count down to Santa my little Grayson!

XOXO

Bella

The Chalk Board How To

These are the chalkboards that everyone is interested in and would like the instructions.  They are very simple if you have a Cricut or any kind of electronic cutting machine.  This is the one I make for Halloween.

And this is the one that made it on Pinterest.  Here is the supple list and  the "how to's"

Frame ( I bought mine at WalMart)- select one that has flat, wide sides

Craft Paint & sponge brush- if you want to have a small border of paint around the frame

Vinyl

Chalkboard Paint

Matching ribbon

1) Begin by painting a small border around the frame with paint and a sponge brush.  I have marked it off with masking tape and I have done it without marking it off.  Let the paint dry.

2) Cut circles on the Cricut using vinyl.  I believe I cut 1" circles.  Peel off the backing and place them around the sides of the frame.

3) Remove glass from picture frame and spray with chalkboard paint.  I bought my paint at WalMart.  Spray outside on grass or newspaper.  I did several thin layers.  Let dry (dries very quickly)

4) Put glass back in frame

5) Add a bow and voila it's finished. ( I would probably use a dab of hot glue to attach the bow)

Add a box of colored chalk and wrap in cellophane for a fun gift!  I think a white frame with red and green polka dots would be sooooo cute for Christmas.  If you still have questions let me know.

I want to thank everyone again for their interest in this project.  Please send pictures of your finished boards and we'll post some of them. 

10,205 page views today....my blog stats counter must have gotten stuck :)

Thanks!!!!

The Power of Pinterest

A funny thing has happened to me.  Unknowing to me, someone took this chalkboard I made for a friend at school and posted it on Pinterest.  Suddenly, I am getting requests on how to make this chalkboard.  Everyone is so enthusiastic and nice and I love that they want to make my chalkboard.  Also, a usual number of views on my blog is about 50 a day....now it has climbed to over 3,000 views a day.  I am amazed at the power of Pinterest.  I know how much I love it but I never realized how things can spread so fast!  So to the sweet people who are emailing and asking for the "how tos" thank you!  And to those just stopping by to view my blog.....thank you!  It's fun and I will gladly share anything I do...just ask.

Thanksgiving Weekend

One of my daughter's closest friends got married this weekend and my family was part of the wedding.  Grayson was the ring bearer and I must say he did a fine job and looked so handsome in his little tuxedo.

My daughter was a bridesmaid and Sloaney was part of the audience.  It was rainy and cool and I was so happy she had her pink "fur". 

My son-in-law was also part of the wedding so it was a family affair.  The bride was stunning and her colors were gorgeous.....browns, copper & cream.  It was a fun way to end a holiday weekend.

When my son needs gifts I stop what I'm working on and sew for him.  It just so happened that he needed several gifts this week.  One is a baby gift for little Harper who will be born soon.  I used my Cricut and cut her initial using a font called "Gesselle".  It has a French look to it and I really like it for girls.  I downloaded it from dafont.com  Lots of free fonts there.

The ornament turned out so soft, girly and sweet.

My son has a co-worker moving soon and they are making her a basket of goodies.  He asked for something to represent Louisiana so I did a fleur de lis on kitchen towels.  The ruffle is a chevron patterned fabric that we used for Grayson's birthday shirt.

His office is also adopting a family for Christmas.  There are 6 children in the family.  He wanted them to have personalized stockings.  I searched several stores looking for stockings that were child-like and reasonably priced.  They were no where to be found so we were about to decide on other gifts for the children.  I walked into Lowe's not even thinking about the stockings and there they were.  Cute and priced just right!

However, I just about gave up after monogramming the first one.  Monogramming stockings is difficult because of the logistics and placement and having to use a water soluble stabilizer on top.  I wouldn't have done them for just anyone but for my son to give to these children I would.

And more of the baby gift for Baby Harper.  I wanted to keep everything pink and green.  I love her name :)

Sweet Baby Harper

Well it's back to work tomorrow.  I hope you have a great week!  Christmas is just around the corner......love this time of the year!

Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with laughter, happiness and love.  I hope everyone is able to be with friends and family today.  May we never take our loved ones for granted or the many blessings we receive each day.  Take time today and let your friends and family know how much they mean to you.

God bless you and have a wonderful day!

My Menu for Thanksgiving Day

(I let my husband pick all of his holiday favorites)

Cajun Fried Turkey

Cornbread Dressing

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Vermacelli Salad

Sweet Potato Casserole

Pecan Pies

Hot Yeast Rolls

XOXO

Karen

2 Days Until Thanksgiving

A young mom-to-be who works with my son asked if I can make her baby a Grinch outfit.  The baby is due in 23 days.  I said I would try.  I searched for the best Grinch face I could find and cute fabric to stitch him in.  This was one of those projects that scared me......never have done a Grinch and matching skirt.....especially for a newborn.  I googled the measurements for a newborn skirt.  6" in length and 12" waist.  That's not alot of skirt or fabric.

I wanted to make a 3 tier skirt but that's almost impossible with only 6" of fabric to play with.  So this is what I came up with.  Mom is happy and that's all that matters.  The skirt took me forever because I tried different things before landing on this.  The next would not take nearly as long.

I think he's a rather cute but mischievous looking Grinch :-)

Only 4 more shirts to complete!!!! I am so happy to almost be through with orders.  I can't wait to sew for my babies, friends and family!

Love, love, love this design

My newest toy..... a Big Shot.  It embosses and makes die cuts.  It's a great little machine to have,,,,,,,,,,will share what it does as I learn to use it.

Only 2 days left until Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for many things and I try not to take anything for granted.  What are you most thankful for? Do you have your menu set for Thanksgiving Day? Are you trying any new recipes?  How many guests are you planning for? 

My 5 Favorite Grayson Phrases

5) I love it!  It's de-wish-ous!

4) Did you miss me?

3) She's so cute! (talking about his sister)

2) Do you hear the train?  Let's go see the train!  I not scared! (we can hear and see trains from our house)

1) I love you Bell-wa!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Count Down to Thanksgiving

I've been busy. Sloan and Grayson spent 8 whole days with Bella & Asa.  We laughed so much, watched too much Mickey Mouse Club House, Chuggington & Phineas and Ferb, looked for trains, fixed bottles, changed diapers, rocked little folks and just had a wonderful time with our babies.  Yes, it was stressful but there is nothing like it.  I'm so very thankful I am a Grandmother! 

This afternoon I wanted to do something for my husband's 10 secretaries so I made a "semi-homemade" bread.  This is very, very good or "de-wisous" as Grayson says :)

I was able to get three loaves out of a box so I made 4 mixes.  I added 1/2 cup pecans to each mix and topped each one with a powdered sugar glaze.

I used a large Kraft sandwich bag and cut about 4" off the top.  Using a piece of scrapbooking paper, I cut a sqaure for each bag.  Then I got out my Cricut and cut large gift tags, stamped them with a pumpkin and a Happy Thanksgivng message.

Then tied them up with a beautiful ribbon.

A few weeks ago I made this table runner.  When I spotted this fabric at Hobby Lobby I knew I needed to make a runner with it.  I was inspired by a runner and tablescape I saw on Pinterest.  I don't know what I did before I discovered Pinterest......so many ideas!

This is my runner and my version of the Pinterest Thanksgiving table.

I went to my neighbor's yard and cut (with her permission) magnolia branches and leaves and some pine.  I love using natural touches for Thanksgiving.

My sideboard.....one end

the other end

the middle

I don't really plan to serve punch.....I just thought this punch bowl looked pretty in the middle.  Maybe I could put my tea in there :)

A few things in my kitchen

This little boy and girl pilgrim must be about 20 years old.  A dear friend thought I needed them to represent my two children.  They are special to me.

These are projects I finished long before Sloan and Grayson arrived.  This is Sloan's 7 month onesie.....I'm just a couple of months behind.  Gotta get busy and finish 8 & 9 month.

More deer shirts for precious little girls!

Julianna

Brooklyn

And Jackson!

I'm ready for Thanksgiving.  Are you?  I have soooooo very much to be thankful for and this gives me the chance to be especially mindful of all that God has blessed me with.

Count down Thanksgiving with me!

3 days to go........

Reindeer Initials

Several of you have asked where I've been.  I did go on a trip last week but I'm back and just trying to catch up!  I started working on reindeer shirts tonight. 

I finished 4 turkey shirts and now I'm moving on to Christmas.  This is a Reindeer alphabet.  Each letter has it's own reindeer face.  I think it's great for boys.  Megan picked it out for her guys so here's the 1st one.

Also, I've been knitting a lot lately.  More to come on that but this is a slouch hat that is so fun to work on.  I ordered the pattern from Etsy.  It's not finished yet.....I still plan to add red polka dots but this is a preview of the almost finished hat.  Anyway I'm back and have lots in the works.  I may not blog much the next few weeks but I hope everyone has a great week and for most of us it's a short week.  Veterans day is a holiday for educators and students.  Yah!